INTRODUCTION

My solution to the Duckworks 2001 Amateur Boat Design Competition is a 9-foot Pram.
      For cutting the lumber parts, you must have, at least, access to a table saw.
      For accurate measurements, a Staedtler-Mars scale (ruler) # 987 18-34 is recommended.  This highly precise ruler cost approximately C$10.  Also, the ruler eliminates conversion calculations–and the chance of making mistakes in this process–for building a model to 1/6 scale first from inexpensive 2-mm cardboard that is obtainable at art stores.
      At the same stores, they sell 24"x36" paper pads with an accurate 1"-square grid of thin blue lines.  The pads are normally used on instruction easels.  A pad of 30 sheets cost only C$3.  A sheet taped on a hardboard panel, is ideal for making a full-sized, Body-view drawing.
      A Japanese flush cutting saw is the only recommended special tool.  With this saw the cutting of the bevel of the side panels at the bow and transom boards, and the flare angle bevels of the bottom panel on the setup become easy and accurate.
     
For clarity, and easy checking, all measurement figures are printed bold. For ¾"x1" without a space between ¾" and the x-sign, and between the x-sign and 1", read ¾ by 1 inch which is a measurement figure.  When you see spaces between the figures and the x-sign, 2 x 10.5" for example, it means the multiplication 2 times 10.5". A ratio, as 4/1, is written without any spacing between the 4, the /-sign, and the 1. When there is a space between the figures fore and aft of the /-sign it means divide by.
      Study the whole manuscript first before your start with the project!

Wait with cutting any of the full-sized parts until the moment that their correct measurements can be verified on the setup.

      With the layout of the material, room for small corrections is taken in account.
      Follow exactly the building sequence given under the heading Actual Building of the Pram.  In that case, you won’t run into any unpleasant surprises.

Barend Migchelsen
Dorval, Quebec

 

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